WHO I AM

There is hardly any region in the Universe less accessible to human investigation than stellar interiors. For more than a decade, my work probed exactly that: the internal workings of stars.

"Age of Stars" episode of The Universe by BBC and PBS. A voyage of discovery on the dramatic life cycle of stars' birth, death and renewal. Full episode here (only available in the US).

From studying the Universe and its rattling events, I migrated to another that is similarly dynamic, disruptive (and no less world-rattling!): entrepreneurship. Spanning the cosmic and the earthly, my work lies at the intersection of space science, entrepreneurship and education.

At Cambridge Judge Business School, I run entrepreneurship development programmes that offer top business education to help academics commercialise their research. Independently, I consult for businesses to bring space science into high-end technology and I coach on innovation storytelling through workshops and executive 1:1 training. Clients include universities, innovation hubs and corporates.

As the first person to earn a PhD in astrophysics from a Lebanese university, I'm committed to promoting STEM and women in STEM. So I founded She Speaks Science, a multi-lingual social enterprise funded by Cambridge University and International Astronomical Union. I also advised the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs on setting up “Space4Women Network” on which I now mentor, and have advisory roles in public engagement.

As a public speaker, I challenge my audience to think differently, spark a transformative process, and bring about change. I keynote and speak on astrophysics, leadership, entrepreneurship and women in STEM at international conferences and global forums including TEDx and the United Nations.

I was profiled as subject matter expert in the media including BBC Future and featured as Urania, "Modern Muse for Astronomy" by London magazine Postscript.

When not pursuing stellar endeavours, jogging, or exploring physical and vocal expression in my regular theatre training, you can find me sailing with my husband in the English wind.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Astrophysics, American University of Beirut, Lebanon (2015)
MSc. in Physics, American University of Beirut, Lebanon (2011)
BSc. in Physics & Mathematics, Lebanese University Faculty of Sciences
Leadership and Management course, University of Bath School of Management, UK
(2022)






Portfolio

Consultancy

Consultant on space science and storytelling. Helped innovative businesses bring space science into their products, services and even marketing strategies.

Entrepreneurship

Founder and Executive Director of She Speaks Science. I also lead entrepreneurship education programmes at Cambridge Judge Business School.

Public Speaking

“Words are events. They do things, change things”. I speak on astrophysics, entrepreneurship, STEM, education and storytelling so that things can change (for the better!).

Space Research

My research contributed to the understanding of how stars live and evolve, chemically enrich their Galaxies, and interact with nearby companions.

In the Media

Profiled in media including BBC Future, Room Space Journal and various podcasts. Featured as "Modern Muse for Astronomy" by London magazine Postscript.